Fly Safe
The Fly Safe update for August is now available.
Winter Hill Closed
Due to the moor fires at Winter Hill we have closed the site until further notice. Please do not fly the site until the closure is lifted. Once the fires are confirmed as being extinguished I will speak to the landowner to establish that we are able to access the site safely and that we are not having any adverse impact on the recovery of the moor.
Flying at Parlick - what you must know.
In addition to what is written in the site guide, recent actions by PG pilots have prompted the PSC to issue the following guidance to anyone flying from Parlick. Please read this carefully before going to Parlick.
1. Sailplane operations.
Bowland Forest Gliding Club tow launch from their airfield a short distance from the SW spur of Parlick: it is clearly marked on the air chart as launching to 3000’ AMSL. It is imperative that you do not fly over their airfield or interfere with their launch or landing. This is a serious safety issue - your priority as a pilot is not to cause a danger to anyone. The linked diagram shows the location of the field: the orange rectangle marks the runway which is the critical danger area with a thin steel cable under high tension launching the gliders; the red rectangle is the circuit area, an indication of where you can expect sailplanes to be low and in a critical flight phase, either launching or on landing approach. They do not have our capability to quickly abort a launch or pick a different spot to land, so keep well away from this region unless you are well above 2000’ AMSL. The blue circle indicates 1 km radius from the centre of their runway, and is to be avoided except when on landing approach. If you feel the need for more clearance from the hill to avoid turbulence, you need to be particularly vigilant in this region.
Pilots pushing out to Beacon Fell need to be aware that their flight path may take them into conflict with launching, landing or circulating sailplanes - once you are out of gliding range of the hill or landing field, you are an XC pilot and need the skill set that goes with this: airspace awareness, the ability to choose and use a remote landing field and the wisdom to decide early enough when to abandon your attempt to return to the hill.
Gliding awareness for non-glider pilots
2. Landing Fields
The same diagram shows the location of the main landing field, a secondary field which can be used if the grass is not being grown as a crop, and the emergency landing field for hang gliders only. Recently visiting pilots have been landing in other fields, often following each other in once one lands there. Please remember: YOU are the pilot in charge and you should plan your flight and then fly your plan. Your plan should include where you are allowed to land, and it is your responsibility to find this out. Read the guide, ask the locals but above all please don’t just follow others into a field. We have a good relationship with the local farmers, but they get understandably annoyed if pilots land in random locations.
3. East Bowl.
The area surrounded by the East bowl of Parlick is a sensitive area used for grouse breeding and shooting, overseen by gamekeepers who are very zealous in their protection of their birds. Please do not land anywhere in the bottom of the bowl in the East - if in doubt top land or slope land as high as possible or head for the landing field.
Please follow this link to an updated site diagram - you can zoom in and click on any of the marked areas for more info. https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1wE2HUzy49xdly7TJ3dmAs68ETYug7D6k&ll=53.886307450189435%2C-2.598223589831605&z=14
The site guide will be updated shortly to reflect these changes.
To leave or not to leave?
20:30 Wednesday 6th June, Phil Colbert chucks a post onto Pennine Flight Club group asking if anyone fancies some XC coaching on Thursday. That day I'd walked about 8 mile with my 20Kg pack looking for non existent wind. I was planning a day off & had a course to go to. However, XC coaching with Phil.... had to be worth a go, course can wait.
Equipment stolen
Ash Ghinn to Derbyshire Soaring Club
My glider bag (and all its contents) was stolen from Featherstone railway station platform yesterday. I'd landed there from Rushup and left my bag tucked in the corner of a little platform waiting room while I ran to get a drink from a shop. The platform was deserted and I was only gone a few minutes, so it was immediately obvious that whoever picked it up had done so quickly and deliberately.
Forest of Bowland UAV Survey NOTAM
A UAV will be carrying out survey work in our area, exact date/time is weather dependant, and will be notified in advance if possible and practical, but this cannot be relied upon. The brief email details are as below, copied for all to read. If you notice the UAV please keep away from the operating area. This is not a long term issue, just until the survey work is carried out.
Ed Cleasby's Pennine Soaring Club Club Night.
Link to The Northern Challenge Trophy
PSC Safety Bulletin September 2017
September safety update from Brian Stewart.
PSC Safety Bulletin July 2017 Flying with Sailplanes
The Pennine Soaring Club may not be the largest Hang gliding and Paragliding club in the UK (just yet!) but we're one of the most active and have certainly proved ourselves to be THE BEST!
We have great flying sites to cover most wind directions with some of the best XC potential in the UK...
... and welcome visiting pilots to fly The Pennines with open arms. (See our site guide). Although we currently do not run a strict Members Only policy we would rather have you on our team. Not only because of the benefits to you, but also because over the years we have negotiated agreements with farmers and landowners and would like to keep them as happy with flying as we are!
As well as this website, we also have a facebook page at facebook.com/PennineSoaringClub.
If you really need any extra encouragement... browse through some of the most stunning and dramatic photos and videos taken by our very own club members in the galleries. This site is where we can upload and share our visual memories of a fantastic flying holiday, epic day out or simply a giggle while para-waiting.
To upload an image, simply join the Pennine Soaring Club and log on as a member. You can allocate your own space to upload and tag your photos… it's good to share!
Besides… it would be great to get to know you! Join The Pennine Soaring Club today!
